It would be difficult for the Raiders to keep Palmer at his current salary because he is set to make more than $13 million this season, and his salary cap number is more than $15 million. ​

​

With Palmer playing hard ball, he clearly thinks he can get more on the open market if Oakland does release him. Arizona is a potential suitor, and perhaps the Raiders could try to get something in return in a trade. But if the Cardinals know the Raiders are in a tough spot, Oakland will likely lose any trade leverage. ​

​

Cutting Palmer would be difficult for Oakland to swallow considering it gave up its first-round pick in the 2012 draft and its second-round pick this year in a trade the previous regime made in October 2011. ​

​

If Palmer is moved, the third-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor could step into the starter’s role. Oakland likes Pryor, but coach Dennis Allen has been on the record saying Palmer is the starter for now. ​

​

If Palmer is cut, the Raiders could also consider taking West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, whom Oakland haas been reported to take interest in. The Raiders have the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft. That speculation will obviously only intensify if Palmer is out of the picture. Taking Smith would be risky because the Raiders have great needs on defense and there are some strong defensive prospects available. ​

​

But if Palmer gets cut, everything would be on the table. ​

​

Oakland could also bring in a veteran quarterback such as Jason Campbell even if it’s in as a backup role. Of course, that would be ironic. The Palmer trade was spurred when Campbell was lost for the season with a broken collarbone. The current Oakland brass didn’t make an effort to re-sign Campbell last year in free agency and he went to Chicago. There just aren’t many more backup quarterback options available.​

It would be difficult for the Raiders to keep Palmer at his current salary because he is set to make more than $13 million this season, and his salary cap number is more than $15 million. ​

​

With Palmer playing hard ball, he clearly thinks he can get more on the open market if Oakland does release him. Arizona is a potential suitor, and perhaps the Raiders could try to get something in return in a trade. But if the Cardinals know the Raiders are in a tough spot, Oakland will likely lose any trade leverage. ​

​

Cutting Palmer would be difficult for Oakland to swallow considering it gave up its first-round pick in the 2012 draft and its second-round pick this year in a trade the previous regime made in October 2011. ​

​

If Palmer is moved, the third-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor could step into the starter’s role. Oakland likes Pryor, but coach Dennis Allen has been on the record saying Palmer is the starter for now. ​

​

If Palmer is cut, the Raiders could also consider taking West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, whom Oakland haas been reported to take interest in. The Raiders have the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft. That speculation will obviously only intensify if Palmer is out of the picture. Taking Smith would be risky because the Raiders have great needs on defense and there are some strong defensive prospects available. ​

​

But if Palmer gets cut, everything would be on the table. ​

​

Oakland could also bring in a veteran quarterback such as Jason Campbell even if it’s in as a backup role. Of course, that would be ironic. The Palmer trade was spurred when Campbell was lost for the season with a broken collarbone. The current Oakland brass didn’t make an effort to re-sign Campbell last year in free agency and he went to Chicago. There just aren’t many more backup quarterback options available.​

Click to expand...

.....and this typifies everything that is wrong in this world perfectly ......

YEP, definetely born into the wrong sport as a kid.

How sad is that !!!! ............. the guy isn't in reality, worth a pinch of Billygoat-**** covered in sprinkles, yet some desperate team would be willing to fork out that kinda moolah ???

Chris Gittings is the agent for new Chargers running back Danny Woodhead. He is the president and founder of his own agency, One West Sports. In January, he was featured in the Sports Agency Blog's monthly spotlight.

Gittings is good.

He's not that good.

Last week, an online report detailed Woodhead's two-year contract, citing a worth of $11 million. Front-office members, when approached in private, shook off that sum, and indeed, the numbers learned Monday were lower than those circulating.

Woodhead's two-year deal is worth $3.5 million. It includes a $1 million signing bonus and, with a $750,000 base salary, will count $1.25 million against the 2013 salary cap — figures that make sense for both sides.

This is not the year the Chargers go spending.

This is the year they're scheduled to devote in cap space a minimum of $6 million to tackle Jared Gaither and $6.875 million to wide receiver Robert Meachem. Those contracts are two of the team's top five costliest in 2013 cap space, accounting for about 10.5 percent of the possible $123 million total.

This is the year Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers' contract, renegotiated in 2009, happens to peak in cap value. The $17.11 million, worth 13.9 percent, will drop more than $2 million in 2014.

This is the year the Chargers work to reward their own talent — inside linebacker Donald Butler is in a contract year — and draft and develop the next wave, they hope, to fill roster holes.

That is the plan. With the numbers, the real numbers, that's been the plan.
Ed McGuire, the Chargers Park contract worker, is paid to find ways on paper to fit players on the field. Zero of the free agency additions thus far have exceeded a cap hit of $2.1 million, a number that belongs to new starting cornerback Derek Cox.

Tackle King Dunlap: $1.775 million. Tight end John Phillips: $1.317 million. Both multi-year deals are laced in incentives.

No new contract can hurt the Chargers in 2014 the way those from 2012 are now. Cox has a $4.25 million base salary in 2014, but it isn't fully guaranteed the way Meachem's was. It comes with an injury guarantee that becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2014 league year.
Free agency has quieted around the NFL.

While there appears to be nothing imminent ahead for the Chargers, given their attention to improving the offensive line, they cannot be counted out to make a play for a tackle. Whether that materializes is a separate matter.

There also are players, such as defensive end Vaughn Martin, outside linebacker Shaun Phillips or cornerback Quentin Jammer, that could theoretically return to their old NFL home at the right price.

But San Diego has a little more than $7 million in cap space.

And that doesn't include hidden fees, such as roughly $4 million in draft picks to come, the injury reserve budget and the extra wiggle room a team likes to keep for a midseason move in a possible playoff push.

For contracts worth more than $5 million a season, look to last year.

This isn't it.

Click to expand...

*REALLY* enjoyed reading that - but somebody should inform the author that Ed McGuire's title in our Front Office is "Executive VP of Football Administration/Player Finance", not "contract worker"...

Edited - so I tweeted him with that complaint - still a *very* good article though... Had been hearing some silly figures spewed about the Woodhead contract - now breathing easier...

Here is a roundup of who some NFL Experts expect the San Diego Chargers to draft with the 11th overall selection in April's NFL Draft

In order to serve all Chargers fans, Chargers.com has compiled a list of who some top draft pundits are projecting the Chargers will select with the 11th pick in the draft.With free agency underway and a month to go until draft day, many mock drafts have been updated accordingly giving way to numerous changes from our first four trackers.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks: OG Jonathan Cooper – North CarolinaWhat he says: “To get Philip Rivers back on track, the Chargers must keep him upright in the pocket. Cooper is a standout pass protector with the athleticism and movement skills to dominate in the run game.”

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: OT Lane Johnson - OklahomaWhat he says: “In this scenario, the Chargers are elated to see Johnson still on the board. He represents an enormous upgrade at the position and could very well end up being the top offensive lineman in this draft class.”

NFL.com’s Matt Smith: OG Chance Warmack – AlabamaWhat he says: “The Chargers would be ecstatic if Johnson slipped to this spot, and they'll also think long and hard about a wide receiver. But Warmack fills a serious need on that line. He's also likely to be the best player on the board at this point -- a win-win.”

CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “There are plenty of theories as to why Phillip Rivers hasn't played up to his previous standards in recent years. The biggest, literally and figuratively, might be the turnstile the Chargers have employed at left tackle since Marcus McNeill's abrupt retirement two years ago. Johnson, a former JUCO quarterback, defensive end and tight end, has grown into a standout tackle, who proved in his stellar play in the Big 12, at the Senior Bowl and combine workouts that he has the strength and athleticism to remain on the blindside.”

CBSSports.com’s Dane Brugler: OG Chance Warmack – AlabamaWhat he says: “The Chargers have questions at both tackle spots, but with the top three offensive tackle prospects off the board, they could focus on the interior, especially after losing Louis Vasquez in free agency. Warmack is a plug-and-play starter who will vastly help the Bolts' run game.”

CBSSports.com’s Pat Kirwin: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “The Chargers need a left tackle and Johnson could be the last of the first-round candidates. He's capable against speed rushers, but needs work against power. I would not be surprised to see a team jump over San Diego to snag Johnson.”

CBSSports.com’s Clark Judge: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “He would step in and start right away at left tackle over King Dunlap.”

SBNation’s Dan Kadar: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “Current left tackle Jared Gaither has played a grand total of nine games for the Chargers in two seasons. While the defensive line will be a possible target with this pick as well, Corey Liuget is quickly becoming a very good five technique andCam Thomas is at least serviceable at nose tackle. The talent at offensive tackle drops off dramatically after Johnson is off the board, but there will be plenty of defensive line talent in the second and third rounds.”

Bleacher Report’s Jesse Read: OG Chance Warmack – AlabamaWhat he says: “Philip Rivers only has a handful of good years left in the NFL, and if the Chargers want him to have success, the team must upgrade its offensive line. Warmack would bolster the team's running game in a major way, and he's also adept at blocking pass-rushers up the middle.”

Bleacher Report’s Tim Daniels: DT Star Lotulelei - UtahWhat he says: “San Diego desperately needs to gets its offensive line issues figured out. There just isn't a player worth taking here, however, which means the Chargers should go with Lotulelei instead.”

Bleacher Report’s Stephen Sheehan: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “The only way for the Chargers to resurrect Phillip Rivers' career is to protect him. The days of Marcus McNeill are long gone. Lane Johnson might be seen as a project, but the former quarterback turned left tackle has a ton of upside due to his size and quickness.”

Bleacher Report’s Daine Pavloski: OT Lane Johnson – OklahomaWhat he says: “The Chargers can't gamble here. They need someone to protect Philip Rivers. Johnson doesn't necessarily have to come in right away, but he's a smart enough player that he can learn the playbook quickly and get into the game. The Chargers have been hanging on the periphery of the playoffs for a few years. A great lineman could help shore up their offense.”

Bolts from the Blue’s John Gennaro: DT Star Lotulelei– NebraskaWhat he says: "Star Lotulelei fits what new GM Tom Telesco has been preaching as his draft strategy in that he’s the best player available with the No. 11 pick. He provides much-needed depth to the defensive line, which will help take pressure off the Linebackers and Secondary (both lacking talent and depth), while keeping the Chargers from having to use valuable cap space on Cam Thomas next offseason."